Sanitary mixing unit

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a sanitary mixing unit ( 1 ), in particular for wall installation, comprising a cartridge ( 6 ) with an external housing ( 12 ), a flow adjustment device, a temperature adjustment device and a thermostatic device, whereby the flow adjustment device comprises a fixed valve disc ( 13 ) and a rotating valve disc ( 14 ) co-operating therewith. According to the invention, a mixing unit in which the functional matching of the inlet properties to the properties of the connection may be achieved in a simple and economical manner is provided, whereby an inner housing ( 15 ) which may be rotated through at least 180° co-axially to the outer housing ( 12 ), has the thermostat device ( 15 ) arranged therein, the rotating valve disc ( 14 ) is fixed to the inner housing ( 15 ) and the fixed valve disc ( 13 ) is fixed to the outer housing ( 12 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates to a sanitary mixing faucet, especially forwall installation, with a cartridge which has an outside housing, with aquantity adjustment means, a temperature adjustment means, and athermostat means, the quantity adjustment means having a stationaryvalve disk and a rotating valve disk which interacts with it.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] Mixing faucets of the type under consideration are known invarious versions. In these mixing faucets, cold water must be deliveredto the cold water part of the mixing chamber from the cold water supplyand hot water to the hot water part of the mixing chamber from the hotwater supply. For laterally transposed installation of such a mixingfaucet, therefore with installation with a connection of the cold watersupply to the hot water line and of the hot water supply to the coldwater line, this mixing faucet operates without special measures with areversed actuation direction, and in the embodiment, does not act at allas a thermostat mixing faucet.

[0005] Since laterally transposed installation of the water suppliesoften takes place due to errors by the installer or due to structuralcircumstances, in modern mixing faucets, provisions are often made forthe assignment of the cold water supply to the cold water part and ofthe hot water supply to the hot water part to be interchangeable.

[0006] Published German Patent Application 35 41 986 discloses a mixingfaucet with a mounting shaft into which the supply lines of the cold andhot water are routed and in which there is a blind hole for holding anintermediate piece. To enable laterally transposed installation, it isprovided that, in the blind hole, selectively, an intermediate piecewith water delivery channels which are made crossed or parallel, isinserted for the cold and hot water inflow. The disadvantage in thisknown mixing faucet is that two different types of intermediate piecesare necessary to enable matching to the actual supply conditions.Another disadvantage is that the mounting shaft and thus also theintermediate piece occupy a relatively large amount of space; this hasan adverse effect on the construction depth of the mixing faucet.

[0007] Furthermore, published German Patent Application 37 30 375discloses a mixing faucet in which in the area of the cold water supplyand the hot water supply flow guide inserts are interchangeably insertedinto the base body of the fittings and are interchangeable with oneanother. In this embodiment special components are also necessary toundertake the correct matching to the supply conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The object of this invention is to provide a sanitary mixingfaucet of the initially mentioned type in which operational matching ofthe inflow conditions to the actual supply conditions is easily andeconomically possible.

[0009] This object is achieved in accordance with the inventionessentially in that, in the outside housing, the inside housing issupported to be able to turn coaxially relative to it by at least 180°,that there is a thermostat means in the inside housing, that therotating valve disk is joined rotationally fixed relative to the insidehousing, and that the stationary valve disk is rotationally fixedrelative to the outside housing.

[0010] The embodiment of the invention offers a series of in part majoradvantages.

[0011] First of all, to adapt to the actual supply conditions noadditional components or changes on the base body of the fittings arenecessary. Structural modifications to ensure laterally transposedinstallation are limited to changes on the cartridge without howeverthis leading to an increase of the dimensions of the cartridge.Depending on the application, it is simply necessary to turn the insidehousing by 180° relative to the outside housing. The outside housingitself with the stationary valve disk remains in its arrangement orinstallation position in the base body of the fittings and is notturned.

[0012] Structurally, it is an especially good idea to route anengagement section of the inside housing, that serves for seating of thefirst twist operating handle for adjustment of the quantity of mixedwater, out through an end face of the outside housing. This embodimenthas the advantage that the twist operating handle for adjusting thequantity can be easily slipped onto the projecting engagement section.After removing the twist operating handle, the inside housing can beturned by 180° in the above described manner relative to the outsidehousing if this is necessary with respect to the installationconditions.

[0013] Furthermore, it is favorable for temperature adjustment if thetemperature adjustment means has an engagement section which projectsout of an end face of the inside housing for seating a second twistoperating handle for temperature adjustment. On the end face, thecartridge thus has two engagement sections which both project beyond theoutside housing so that the two twist operating handles can be easilymounted and actuated easily on the end face. Otherwise, based on theselected arrangement and execution, it is such that the first twistoperating handle and the second twist operating handle have the sameaxis of rotation.

[0014] In order to be able to quickly and easily adjust the quantity,the valve openings of the valve disks are made such that the maximumopening cross section arises after rotation of less than 180°,preferably roughly 90°. In order to obtain a defined closed and openposition in this connection, there are means for limitation of therotation of the first twist operating handle. In one preferredembodiment, the means for limitation of rotation have a guide groovewhich is provided especially on the outside housing, and a projectionwhich is guided in the guide groove and which is preferably provided onthe first twist operating handle.

[0015] Since the embodiment in accordance with the invention allowsrotation of the inside housing relative to the outside housing, toeasily find the supply position desired at the time, it is a good ideato provide markings on the outside housing and the inside housing whichcorrespond to one another for indicating the state of rotation of theinside housing relative to the outside housing. When the markings agree,then either one or the other supply position is reached.

[0016] Basically it is possible to configure the cartridge such that itis open on the bottom so that the individual components can be removedif necessary. However, it is preferable for a bottom plate to beprovided on the bottom for sealing the cartridge to be mounted on theoutside housing. In this way, the entire cartridge becomes a unit whichis easy to handle and which easily enables adjustment of the insidehousing relative to the outside housing and otherwise can be easilymounted and if necessary replaced.

[0017] In one preferred embodiment, it is provided that the bottom plateis locked to the outside housing. This connection can be easilyestablished and ensures reliable sealing of the cartridge. In thisregard, it is especially feasible to keep the stationary valve diskrotationally fixed on the bottom plate.

[0018] Since the cartridge of the invention contains a plurality ofcomponents, in order to ensure simple installation of the individualcomponents, the inside housing can be easily be made in several pieces.However, in this case, it is necessary for adjacent parts of the insidehousing to be joined to one another in a manner preventing relativerotation therebetween.

[0019] Otherwise, it goes without saying that this invention is notlimited solely to the sanitary mixing faucet, but also relates to acartridge of the above described type.

[0020] One embodiment of this invention is explained in detail using theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of part of the mixing faucet inaccordance with the invention,

[0022]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of part of the sanitary mixing faucetshown in FIG. 1,

[0023]FIG. 3 is an exploded view of parts of the mixing faucet of theinvention,

[0024]FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a cartridge according tothe invention,

[0025]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge in accordance withthe invention,

[0026]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional of the cartridge shown in FIG. 5rotated 90° about its longitudinal axis relative to the representationof FIG. 5 and

[0027]FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the individual parts of thecartridge in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028]FIGS. 1 and 2 show parts of a sanitary mixing faucet 1 which isintended especially for wall installation. The mixing faucet 1 has abase body 2 which has a cold water supply connection 3, and on theopposite side, a hot water supply connection (not shown). A receivingsleeve 5 for a cartridge 6 is locked into the receiver 4 of the basebody 2. The cartridge 6 makes it possible to adjust the amount andtemperature of the mixed water. For this purpose, the mixing faucet 1has a quantity adjustment means and a temperature adjustment means inthe cartridge. Furthermore, there is a thermostat means in the cartridge6. The cartridge 6 is fixed in or on the receiving sleeve 5 via alocking nut 7.

[0029] Supplementing the parts shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3 shows a coveringsleeve 8 which is pushed over the receiving sleeve 5, a first twistoperating handle 9 and a second twist operating handle 10 which iscomposed of several parts and which can be attached to the front of thecartridge 6 via a screw 11.

[0030] As follows especially from FIGS. 5 and 6, the mechanism forcontrolling the amount and temperature is implemented in or on thecartridge 6. The cartridge 6 itself, for this purpose, has an outsidehousing 12 in which, among others things, there are a stationary valvedisk 13 and a rotating valve disk 14 of the quantity adjustment meanswhich interacts with the stationary valve disk 13.

[0031] It is significant, at this point, that the inside housing 15 canbe turned coaxially in the outside housing 12 by at least 180° aroundthe axis D which is the central lengthwise axis of the cartridge 6.There is a thermostat means which has a thermostatic element 16 in theinside housing 15 and it is thus turned at the same time when the insidehousing 15 is turned relative to the outside housing 12. Furthermore,the rotating valve disk 14 is held on the inside housing 15 so that thevalve disk 14 is turned at the same time as the inside housing 15 isturned relative to the outside housing 12. Conversely, the stationaryvalve disk 13 is fixed relative to the outside housing so that when theinside housing 15 turns, relative motion of the movable valve disk 14takes place with respect to the stationary valve disk 13 which is notmoving.

[0032] As a result, the aforementioned configuration means that thecartridge 6 which is inserted into the receiving sleeve 5 and thereceiver 4 of the base body 2 does not have to be removed from the abovedescribed installation position for adaptation to the respectivestructural circumstances, but that simply the inside housing 15 onlyneed be turned by 180° around the axis D in order to ensure faultlessoperation of the mixing faucet 1 depending on the location of the watersupplies. In order to otherwise prevent, in this connection, the outsidehousing 12 from turning at the same time as the inside housing 15 turns,there are the corresponding fixing projections 17 on the end of thecartridge 6 for interaction with openings (not shown) on the base bodyor on the receiver 4.

[0033] On the end face, i.e., on the side facing the user, theengagement section 18 of the inside housing 15 is routed out of theoutside housing 12. The first twist operating handle 9 for adjustment ofquantity can be slipped onto the engagement section 18. To slip thefirst twist operating handle 9 onto the engagement section 18 and tohold the twist operating handle 9 against relative rotation, a groove 19runs in the lengthwise direction of the cartridge 6 and it interactswith a corresponding projection 20 on the first twist operating handle9. In the embodiment shown, there are corresponding grooves 10 andprojections 20 on opposing sides of the engagement section 18 and in thecorresponding insertion opening of the first twist operating handle 9,respectively.

[0034] To be able to adjust not only the amount, but also thetemperature from the end face of the cartridge 6, the temperatureadjustment means has an engagement section 21 which projects out of theend face of the inside housing 15 for seating of the second twistoperating handle 10. In the installed state, with the twist operatinghandles 9, 10 attached, the first twist operating handle 9 and thesecond twist operating handle 10 have the same axis of rotation, theaxis D.

[0035] As follows from FIG. 7, the valve openings 22, 23, 24, 25, whichare provided in the valve disks 13, 14, extend over less than 90°, sothat the maximum opening cross section arises after a rotary motion ofroughly 90°.

[0036] Basically, it can be provided that the inside housing 15 can beturned by only 180° relative to the outside housing 12 by correspondingstops. However, there are no such stops here. For adjusting the amount,there are means for limiting the rotation of the first twist operatinghandle 9 which enable rotation of only roughly 90°. In particular, themeans for limiting rotation of the first twist operating handle 9comprises a guide groove 26 which runs on the periphery of the outsidehousing 12 and into which the projection 20 fits. The guide groove 26extends over an arc length of roughly 90° so that the maximum rotationof the first twist operating handle 9 is dictated by this. Otherwise, onthe outside housing 12 and on the projecting engagement section 18 ofthe inside housing 15 there are the corresponding markings 27, 28 forindicating the state of rotation of the inside housing 15 relative tothe outside housing 12.

[0037] As follows especially from FIGS. 5 and 6, the cartridge 6 withthe components contained in it represent an inherently manageable andclosed unit. The cartridge 6 is comprised of a host of components whichare shown in particular in FIG. 7, even if not all parts are describedin particular. A bottom plate 29, which is locked to the outside housing12, is used to close the cartridge 6. Here, the stationary valve disk 13is held on the bottom plate 29 so that, in this way, rotation of thestationary valve disk 13 relative to the outside housing 12 is easilyprevented.

[0038] As follows from FIGS. 5 to 7, the inside housing 15 is made inseveral parts, adjacent parts of the inside housing 15 being connectedso as not to be rotatable relative to one another. The inside housing 15has an upper inside housing part 30 with the engagement section 18. Theinside housing part 30 is connected to the inside housing part 30,between the two inside housing parts 30, 31 there being a set screw 32and an adjustable nut 33 for achieving axial motion of the thermostaticelement 16 and the associated components. On the outside, on the setscrew 32, there is an engagement section 21 for the second twistoperating handle 10 for adjustment of the temperature. Furthermore,between the two inside housing parts 30, 31, there is a thermostaticelement 16 which is made as an expansion element and which is held withone end in a corresponding receiver 34 of the adjustable nut 33.

[0039] The inside housing part 31 adjoins two other comparatively narrowinside housing parts 35, 36, between which a sealing membrane 37 isheld. Finally, there is a lower inside housing part 38 which adjoins theinside housing part 36. For bracing the sealing membrane 37, the insidehousing parts 31, 35, 36 and 38 are screwed to one another via thecorresponding screws 39.

[0040] As follow especially from FIGS. 5 and 6, a reset spring 40 and anover-travel spring 41 are also located within the cartridge 6 and act onthe thermostatic element 16.

[0041] In this connection, it is important that the reset spring 40 andthe over-travel spring 41 act on the thermostatic element 16 in the samedirection, here, specifically in the direction of the arrow F, so thatthe spring forces of the reset spring 40 and the over-travel spring 41are added to one another in the case of over-travel, therefore when thelength of the thermostatic element changes.

[0042] In this embodiment, the reset spring 40 and the over-travelspring 41 are located on the same side with respect to the thermostaticelement 16. Here, an especially space-saving arrangement is achieved inthat the reset spring 40 and the over-travel spring 41 are each made ashelical springs, the over-travel spring 41 being located within thereset spring 40.

[0043] To transfer the spring forces of the reset spring 40 and theover-travel spring 41 to the thermostatic element 16 and to make contactbetween these springs, a receiving part 42 is used which is cross-shapedand has flow openings. The receiving part 42 has an external flange-likeengagement section 43 and an end-side journal 44. The reset spring 40adjoins the engagement section 43, while the over-travel spring 41 isseated on the journal 44. The thermostatic element 16 rests on theopposite side of the receiving part 42. The reset spring 40 and theover-travel spring 41 exert roughly the same spring force, specificallyroughly 50 N each.

[0044] A sleeve 45 which is supported in the inside housing 15 is usedas the temperature control part on which the thermostatic element 16acts. Here, the receiving part 42 is located within the sleeve 45 and ispressed via the reset spring 40 against the inner stop of the sleeve 45.The sleeve 45 has control edges on its end faces for each of the hot andcold water flows. The hot water control edge is located on the leftside, the cold water control edge on the right side of the sleeve 45.

[0045] In order to optimally use the available space in the insidehousing 15, the reset spring 40 and the over-travel spring 41 arelocated within the sleeve 45. In doing so, the reset spring 40 which isused to reset the sleeve 45 is supported on the peripheral collar 46 ofthe sleeve 45 on the side opposite the receiving part 42, while theover-travel spring 41 , which is also used to hold the thermostaticelement 16, is supported on the inside housing part 38. For this reason,there is a corresponding journal 47 on which the over-travel spring 41is seated.

What is claimed is:
 1. Sanitary mixing faucet (1), especially for wallinstallation, with a cartridge (6) which has an outside housing (12),with a quantity adjustment means, a temperature adjustment means and athermostat means, the quantity adjustment means having a stationaryvalve disk (13) and a rotating valve disk (14) which interacts with it,characterized in that in the outside housing (12) the inside housing(15) is supported to be able to turn coaxially to it by at least 180°,that there is a thermostat means in the inside housing (15), that therotating valve disk (14) is joined torsionally strong to the insidehousing (15), and that the stationary valve disk (13) is torsionallystrong relative to the outside housing (12).
 2. Sanitary mixing faucetas claimed in claim 1, wherein on the end face the inside housing (15)is routed out of the outside housing (12) with the engagement section(18) for seating the first twist operating handle (9) for adjusting theamount.
 3. Sanitary mixing faucet as claimed in claim 1 or 2, whereinthe temperature adjustment means has an engagement section (21) whichprojects on the end face out of the inside housing (15) for seating asecond twist operating handle (10) for temperature adjustment. 4.Sanitary mixing faucet as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first twistoperating handle (9) and the second twist operating handle (10) have thesame axis of rotation.
 5. Sanitary mixing faucet as claimed in one ofclaims 1 to 4, wherein the valve openings (22, 23, 24, 25) of the valvedisks (13, 14) are made such that the maximum opening cross sectionarises after rotation of less than 180°, preferably roughly 90°. 6.Sanitary mixing faucet as claimed in one of claims 2 to 5, wherein thereare means for limitation of the rotation of the first twist operatinghandle (9).
 7. Sanitary mixing faucet as claimed in claim 6, wherein themeans for limitation of rotation have a guide groove (26) especially onthe outside housing (12), and a projection (20) which is guided in theguide groove (26) especially on the first operating handle (9). 8.Sanitary mixing faucet as claimed in one of claims 1 to 7, wherein onthe outside housing (12) and on the inside housing (15) there aremarkings (27, 28) which correspond to one another for indicating thestate of rotation of the inside housing (15) relative to the outsidehousing (12).
 9. Sanitary mixing faucet as claimed in one of claims 1 to8, wherein the bottom plate (29) on the bottom for sealing the cartridge(6) is mounted on the outside housing (12).
 10. Sanitary mixing faucetas claimed in claim 9, wherein the bottom plate (29) is locked to theoutside housing (12).
 11. Sanitary mixing faucet as claimed in claim 9or 10, wherein the stationary valve disk (12) is held torsionally strongon the bottom plate (29).
 12. Sanitary mixing faucet as claimed in oneof claims 1 to 11, wherein the inside housing (15) is made in severalpieces and adjacent parts of the inside housing (15) are joinedtorsionally strong to one another.